Assessment of the obesogenic properties of PFAS using an in vitro-based testing strategy

Obesity prevalence has more than doubled globally over the last 30 years. Exposure to certain chemicals, obesogens, may promote obesity by disrupting lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. There is an urgent need to better identify obesogens using robust and human-specific new approach methodologies (NAMs), as well as to interpret the outcomes of combinations of NAMs in regulatory decision making. The goal of this study is to assess whether an in vitro-based testing strategy based on the combined application of human-specific NAMs, a PPARγ transactivation assay and a human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC)-based adipogenesis assay, supports in vitro identification of obesogens. To this end, a case study was performed with 21 PFAS. Seven PFAS (HFPO-DA, FBSA, PFHpA, PFBS, PFPrS, PFPrA, and PBSF) showed both PPARγ transactivation and increased lipid content. Three PFAS increased cellular lipid content without measurable PPARγ activation (3:3 FTCA, MeFBSA, EtFOSA), implying alternative mechanisms of adipogenesis. Notably, seven PFAS decreased lipid content; five of these (PFOS, PFDA, PFNA, PFBA, PFEtS) were PPARγ agonists, whereas two (TFA and TFMS) did not transactivate PPARγ. Our findings underscore the need for an integrated testing strategy that incorporates multiple mechanisms and downstream phenotypic endpoints to identify substances with obesogenic properties.